our hairman says
TRANSCRIPT
Our Chairman Says….
To the RRG Membership:
I hope this newsletter finds you well and in good spirits. It had been a difficult 2020 for us all, and hope that in the coming
year, we can see things head back toward normalcy.
Having said that, our Board has struggled with a possible Rubber Roller Group meeting this coming May, again in Tampa.
There is certainly hope that the vaccine will help bring our economy back, but it looks to be Spring before that will be availa-
ble for the majority of the US population. The Board is now considering a move to Fall 2021 as a better alternative. This will
allow us to see how we progress this year, and give Matt and the Board additional time to organize a terrific agenda. I, for
one, really miss our yearly group, and want to find a realistic way for us to get back together. This isolation thing is making
everyone crazy (at least I am!) Any suggestions to the RRG Board for our 2021 get together would definitely be considered!
Keep your fingers crossed for a much better Spring and a possible Fall RRG meeting!
I would also request that everyone please renew your membership with the RRG. Our group, unfortunately, has had very
little is the way of revenue, and know that your continued support by renewing your membership would be greatly appreci-
ated!
I, for one, certainly miss the fellowship with all of our colleagues in the rubber industry. My wife and I have certainly lim-
ited our contact with friends and family during the Holiday season. Being stuck at home is bad enough, but being concerned
for getting Covid certainly weighs heavy. Our thoughts and prayers go out to those that have been exposed and are suffer-
ing from the effects of this horrible virus, and to the family members around them. We have been touched by friends and
neighbors that have seen it first-hand, so wish everyone the best as we step into the New Year.
Keep an eye out for communications from the RRG Board for any future announcements of our 2021 RRG meeting. Keep
your fingers crossed that we will all have a chance to get together as a group once again!
Be safe everyone!
Rick Harwood
A Word from our President
Hello to all Rubber Roller Group Members –
In the time of a pandemic, I find the little things feel a lot more important. That statement has never been more so than being
able to “see” your Board of Directors recently on video conference. Even while the topic was again bizarre (“Can we have the
2021 Annual Meeting?”), it felt something close to normal to talk with these fine people. We missed Matt Umentum and could
not see Rick Harwood’s smiling face, but otherwise, it was an absolute joy.
As mentioned, the Board meeting was called mostly to check temperatures on the feasibility of hosting a live and in-person event
next May in Tampa. As anyone that has helped in scheduling and hosting large meetings like ours will understand, there are a lot
of moving pieces involved. I think the group did an excellent job identifying those aspects of the meeting that need our attention
and putting together a timeline for action items to be initiated and completed.
What we are confident of is that The Westshore Grand in Tampa is ready to host the group whenever we are ready. This is a won-
derful hotel, and I am personally looking forward to our time there. That takes care of much of the planning and negotiating that
must be done every year by our Robbi Miller.
The uncertainty for all of us is the future. Will we be looking in our rearview mirrors at COVID-19 in time to finish the agenda,
schedule our speakers, and finalize all details in time to get the word out to our membership? That is a question that will linger
for the rest of 2020 and into early 2021. I hope for all of us, we have a vaccine, have adopted new norms, and can get back to
building relationships within our industry.
To that end, I was disappointed to find that membership renewals were very low for 2020. The popular opinion is that most
members renew their membership when they register for the annual meeting. If that is the case, please do not forget about the
Rubber Roller Group. We haven’t forgotten you!
If you need any help renewing your membership, please contact Robbi Miller at [email protected]
My very best to each of you!
Vail
Plea to our Membership * Tell our ADVERTISERS Thank you!
Bondtech Corporation……………….………………Page 4
Ace Elastomer Corporation………………………..Page 5
Harwick Standard………………………………..…….Page 5
Next Gen Compounding………………..……..….. Page 6
Knox & Schneider………………………….……..….. Page 7
Jinan Power Rubber Roller Equipment…….. Page 7
Graphic Arts Rubber………………….…………….. Page 8
CHT USA………………………..………………….…..… Page 8
US Autoclave…………………………..……..….……. Page 9
Akrochem…………………………………….…...….. Page 10
Laur Silicone………………………………..………… Page 11
Akron Rubber Development Laboratory.… Page12
Please go on line to www.rubberrollergrooup.com and print
the appropriate Membership Invoice and remit your 2021
membership as soon as possible. We need you to continue
to support the Rubber Roller Group so that when we get
through this awful pandemic, the Rubber Roller Group will
still be viable and we can pick up where we left off.
Another way you can support us is to purchase your copy of
the new 2020 edition of the Technical Handbook for Elasto-
meric Roll Covering. So many contributed by writing new
and up to date information . These handbooks are packed
full of industry information and make a great training tool
for any new hire or a reference
for forgotten info. Once again,
you can go to the website and
print the invoice to order your
copy. We have paid for the
printing and only recoup that cost
when we sell them.
Bondtech not only sells machinery, we custom manufacture to specification, rebuild existing machinery and service all brands of equipment, even our competitors. Bondtech is a sole supplier of new and refurbished autoclave and pressure vessels. We are the largest supplier of autoclave systems due to the broad range of industries we serve such as Rubber, Aerospace/Composites, Core Leaching, Wood Treating and Medical Waste Sterilization. At Bondtech ‘Safety, Quality and Service are our Priorities.’ We take great pride in our work and take great care to deliver exceptional Autoclave Systems and a positive ownership experience to our customers around the world.
US Autoclave began operations in 2003; after 17 years of autoclave sales and service, we currently have 55 years
of autoclave experience. The original intent was to provide quality equipment and a service program that would provide old and
new customers the opportunity to contact us at any time. US Autoclave understands the occasional needs outside normal hours
and have ourselves available at the most inopportune times. Our small, personalized staff allows US Autoclave to provide custom
features in new autoclave construction or the refurbishing of used vessels.
We look forward to hearing from you soon.
Thank you for the opportunity.
Dan & Kirk
NEW FEATURE—————————————-————-ADVERTISER SPOTLIGHT
It was suggested that we add some new articles and we decided to reach out to
a few life members and just had a little response. Perhaps this section will grow
in the future. Tom Chase was key and the formation of the Rubber Roller Group,
Roy Johnson was on the Original Steering Committee and served on the Board-
Fred Lanting served on the Board in many capacities.
From TOM CHASE
It is great to have this opportunity to catch up with friends from the past and to introduce myself to those who have come into the industry since my departure. Back in the late 1980’s, Chase Elastomer had become the largest supplier of rubber compounds to the roller industry, and as part of our marketing plan, we conducted technical seminars. Out of those sessions the idea was spawned to form an organization consisting of roller manufacturers and suppliers to the industry. That organization we now know as The Rubber Roller Group.
In 1996 I dropped out of the scene due to a breakdown of my marriage and family related issues. At that point I moved to the UK to run the operation there, and the US entities were sold. There, I continued my work in developing roller compounds for Chase Elastomer UK. In 2008 the business was sold to Excel, which eventually became Hexpol. I worked for the new owners full time for three years, and then for another 3 years on a part time basis, all the while involved in developing new technology for rollers.
After my contract expired with Hexpol, I set up a development laboratory in my garage and began consulting to the roller industry for various clients in countries like India, China, and South America, as well as in Europe and the UK.
As you know, there is something about this industry that gets into your blood, and it is inescapable! An opportunity presented itself to begin mixing rubber in an existing factory, which, of course, I could not pass up. In January 2019 Chase Industries Limited was set to supply rubber compounds to the industry. Other than for all the stresses involved in running a business, the challenge was enjoyable and the business was a success.
That is, until March 2020, when Covid-19 became an issue. The business was mothballed, and employees were furloughed. But during the ensuing months of down time, I focused in earnest on a project that has had the industry pretty well baffled since its introduction in the 1970’s – UV curing of printing inks, and coverings that works well with both conventional and UV inks. Materials like EPDM work well in one, but terri-ble in the other. PVC and polyurethanes work to a limited degree in both but have long term stability issues. I have come up with a long evasive solution to the problem and am now marketing a new family of compounds. The factory will be back up and running in January and this new patentable technology will hopefully lead the way.
I would welcome hearing from any of you via e-mail – [email protected]. While I am on Linkedin, my profile is totally out of date, but you can connect with me there as well. Thanks for the opportunity to reconnect!
Many of you remember Fred Lanting. Fred is a Life Member and retired from Lord Corporation. He shared with me this year a little Christmas cheer of poetry and I robbed a short
segment to share with you.
The Mod Scientist
The clever scientist in mod toupee
Of fibers that can flatter monkish heads
Puts on his polyester shirt, his “threads”
Of suede-like urethane with appliqué
(Fraternal coat-of-arms) and zippers (Nylon),
Dons polymeric shoes, acrylic socks,
And buttons (melamine), a coat that mocks
Wet leather. Then, to work — inside a pylon
Of glass and concrete, vinyl-covered walls,
And carpets of synthetic strands entwined;
And there, with book and flask and Bunsen, scrawls
A few equations — formulas designed
To blend aesthetics with ecology
And make a Christmas tree of PVC.
I regret to inform that Roy Johnson passed peacefully on
January 21, 2021 at the age of 86. Roy purchased Mid South
Roller in Clarksville, AR in 1980 and later Sun Roller in Arling-
ton, TX . His entrepreneurial drive lead him in a quest for
more knowledge in the roller industry. He connected with
many of the “greats” in our industry to glean that
knowledge. Through those connections he became instru-
mental in forming and serving the Rubber Roller Group. Not
only was he part of the original Steering Committee but he
also served a number of years on the Board of Directors.
Roy served in many other capacities. Not just as a Board
member to many community organizations, but as a mentor
to many. I was one of the lucky ones and I treasure the
years lead by his example. One of his greatest attributes,
and he had many, was a positive attitude. He shared that
when he knew he was approaching a difficult person to deal
with that he would whistle a tune. Being cheerful took
down barriers before they could be put up and took them to
a neutral position because of the cheerful whistle. Just give
a little whistle!
Roy will be missed by many.
Rubber Roller Group Office:
Robbi Miller, Executive Secretary
1638 Greystone Place, Springdale, AR 72762
Phone: 479-419-9161 message, Fax 479-419-9464,
Cell 417-337-0210
Host Hotel 2021 - Westshore Grand TAMPA
Rick Harwood, Harwood Rubber Products
Chairman
Phone#: 330-923-3256
Vail Harding, Vail Rubber
President
Phone#: 269-983-1595
Matt Umentum, Rol-Tec Inc
Vice President
Phone#: 920-339-3150
Steve Chase, Next Gen Compounding
Secretary/Treasurer
Phone#: 817-528-1143
Dan Laur, Laur Silicone
Parliamentarian
Phone#: 989-435-7400
Tyler Sinclair, Redwood Plastics & Rubber
Manufacturer’s Representative
Phone#: 604-240-4507
Darrin Roe, ZEON Chemical
Supplier’s Representative
Phone#: 817-939-0583
Jessica Petras, ChemRep, Inc.
Supplier’s Representative
Phone#: 847-551-9060
Mike Diskin, Halifax Numerical Controls Ltd
International Representative
Phone# 01-422-360607
The next Rubber Roller Group meeting is hopefully coming up later in 2021.
This destination is a favorite for many reasons. Weather, weather and did I
mention weather? Some may say fishing, or night life, food or cigars. What-
ever reason you like best is fine! Just mark your calendar right now and plan
to attend.
Yes, much is still in the a state of confusion and much is still unknown. We
are moving forward with plans for 2021 and want you to join us for the
next meeting. More information to come as it is available to us.
We are currently considering dates in September or October. None of like
our calendars in limbo, but of course, we have not choice at this time.